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IVAN TONEY was left out of Brentford’s opening match of the ENGLISH Premier Soccer League season due to transfer interest from elsewhere.
Elsewhere, Chelsea are closing in on a move for Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix, according to reports. Should an agreement be reached, it could resurrect the sale of Conor Gallagher to the Spanish giants. Meanwhile, Newcastle have reportedly made a fourth bid worth £65million for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.
Toney closing in on Brentford exit
Brentford are reportedly confident of selling Ivan Toney to Saudi Arabia side Al-Ahli for £50million despite a late transfer push from Chelsea.
SunSport exclusively revealed yesterday that Chelsea are weighing up a £45m swoop.
But the Times claims Saudi giants Al-Ahli are leading the race after having a £35m offer rejected last week.
It’s reckoned the Middle Eastern side have agreed personal terms with Toney over a lucrative long-term contract.
And Brentford are now holding out for a £50m fee, having initially valued Toney at £70m at the end of last season.
Man City close on ex-captain
Pep Guardiola has given the green light for Ilkay Gundogan’s return to Man City, per Fabrizio Romano.
Barcelona will allow the midfielder to leave just a year after he signed as a free agent after leaving the Etihad.
The 33-year-old has two years remaining on his Barca contract but reportedly wants to leave, with clubs in Turkey also interested.
Gunners target Olympic gold medallist
Arsenal could sign Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia if Aaron Ramsdale leaves, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Ramsdale lost his place to David Raya last season and is subject to a loan bid from Wolves which could be made into a permanent transfer.
The Gunners reportedly have a verbal agreement in place with Garcia, who was part of Spain’s Olympic-winning squad.
He has a buyout clause of £25million.
Clubs line up Chiesa bid
Man Utd have made an offer to sign Juventus star Federico Chiesa, according to Spanish outlet Sport.
The forward has been the subject of transfer speculation all summer long with Barcelona monitoring his situation.
The report adds Chelsea have also made an offer for Chiesa, who could be allowed to leave for as little as £13million.
Neville discusses Raheem Sterling situation
Gary Neville has suggested Raheem Sterling’s statement calling for “clarity” on his Chelsea future may have been done with two team-mates in mind.
A number of senior stars have been ruthlessly axed from the playing squad this summer, including Cobham graduate duo Conor Gallagher and Trevoh Chalobah.
Neville said: “What I would say is, for Raheem, who I think is a really good lad, I love him to bits like [Jamie] Carragher said. I’ve worked with him for a long time and he’s experienced now.
“I think if he’s looking at everything that’s happening behind the scenes there for him to do what he did yesterday, he must be seeing stuff that he doesn’t like and feels like he needs to punch back.
“He might be punching back on behalf of himself, but he may be punching back on behalf of [Conor] Gallagher. He may be punching back on behalf of [Trevoh] Chalobah, who’s with the development squad.
“He might be thinking, ‘I’ve got to alert people to what’s going on here and the only way I can do that is through my own situation now’.
“Because it is unusual to put a statement now that I wouldn’t expect Raheem Sterling to have done that.”
Newcastle eye Gomez
Newcastle are considering a move for Liverpool defender Joe Gomez as an alternative to Marc Guehi.
The Toon Army have had four bids for Guehi rejected by Crystal Palace.
Gomez was previously linked with a move to St. James’ Park as part of a swap deal involving Anthony Gordon.
Newcastle could now return with a fresh approach for the £45million-rated man.
Chelsea agree Felix deal
In case you missed it, Chelsea have reached an agreement with Atletico Madrid for the permanent signing of Joao Felix.
The playmaker has agreed terms on a six-year deal with the option of a further year.
Although the price tag has not been confirmed, Chelsea and Atletico had been in talks over a £40million fee.
Felix previously scored four goals in 16 Premier League appearances on loan at Stamford Bridge during the second half of the 2022/23 season.
Man Utd to miss out on midfielder
Fulham are set to beat Man Utd to the signing of Burnley star Sander Berge.
United switched their focus to Berge after moving on from Manuel Ugarte and the midfielder was believed to be keen on the switch.
But Fulham are now set to land the Norwegian in a transfer worth £20million plus £5m in add-ons.
Brighton troll Leeds over transfer
Brighton have fired a cheeky dig at Leeds after signing Georginio Rutter for £40million.
The 22-year-old has signed a five-year contract on the south coast to link up with Fabian Hurzeler.
However, ahead of the deal’s announcement, Brighton’s social media team took to social media to tell fans: “Don’t go to bed just yet”.
And when revealing Rutter, they showed him appearing to write the tweet out before turning to the camera and winking.
The post came in reference to Leeds using the same line on social media back in 2014 when they famously said: “Don’t go to bed just yet… there is still work to be done #DeadlineDay #lufc.”
While fans would have doubtless been hoping for some new arrivals, it was instead followed up by the departures of Matt Smith and Dominic Poleon to Fulham and Oldham respectively.
West Ham close to youngster
West Ham have agreed a deal with Paris FC for the signing of midfielder Mohamadou Kante.
He’s agreed to terms on a five-year deal and is having a medical.
The 18-year-old will return to Paris on loan for the season to continue his development.
Man Utd to sell youngster
Cardiff City are keen to land Manchester United defender Will Fish.
The Bluebirds are hopeful a move for the centre-back will be completed this week.
There are reports a deal has already been agreed between the two clubs.
Fish, 21, has been on the books of Manchester United since he joined their academy at the age of seven.
Man Utd eye midfielder on loan
Man Utd could sign Manuel Ugarte in a loan deal that would include an obligation to buy, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The midfielder is keen to join the Red Devils but United were unwilling to match PSG’s £51million asking price.
However the French giants are thought to be open to letting Ugarte leave.
Burnley want Man Utd star
Burnley are interested in signing Man Utd youngster Hannibal Mejbri, according to The Athletic.
The midfielder spent the second half of last season on loan at Sevilla and he has one year remaining on his contract.
It is believed Burnley are interested in signing Mejbri on loan or on a permanent basis. (www.thesun.co.uk)
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